A Democratic state representative has once again broken from the ranks of his party – Ken Dunkin did not vote with other Democrats on a key bill in the budget stalemate.

State Rep. Dunkin is the most controversial lawmaker in Illinois.

“I am not a puppet for Mike Madigan, for the governor. I work for the citizens of this district and across the state,” he said.

The Chicago Democrat on Tuesday did not support his party’s effort to reduce the power of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to change rules affecting who qualifies for state-subsidized child care. The Democrats, led by House Speaker Michael Madigan, needed all 71 of their supermajority to pass the bill. Dunkin is the one lawmaker who did not fall in line.

“The facts are people are sick and tired of us down in Springfield who are under the thumb of Mike Madigan,” Dunkin said.

Dunkin said Tuesday’s vote was pure politics because he negotiated with Rauner and convinced the governor to restore the child care benefits reduced last summer.

“We should be celebrating the fact that children can now go back to daycare,” Dunkin said.

“The idea that I just issue unilateral rules day in and day out is pretty laughable,” Madigan said.

The wounded Madigan – who said Dunkin has strayed repeatedly – was asked if he’ll support the South Sider’s re-election.